Dr. Hrishikesh (Hrish) Desai I am an Assistant Professor at Arkansas State University (ASU). I am also the Director of the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) with Data Analytics program at ASU. Prior to joining the Faculty, I was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia Business School and before that a Tutor at the University of Melbourne. Before entering academia, I have worked at boutique public accounting firms, the Deutsche Bank Group, General Mills, and Bakhresa Group. Research interests: Accounting regulation, Fraud examination, Corporate governance, Executive compensation, Financial reporting, Emerging technologies, Judgement & decision-making, Inter-firm relationships, Sustainability reporting, Disclosures via social media, Drug pricing, Personal finance and Taxation Research methods: Empirical/archival Empirical/experimental Analytical/theoretical Dissertation Vita Linkedin A-State Google Scholar SSRN ResearchGate ORCiD Web of Science Scopus Contact Me Follow @desai_hrish

Academic Appointments

Education

Professional Designations

Professional Affiliations

Teaching Experience

Media Quotes / Press Mentions

• Bloomberg News (2024, January 5) "Big Four Reshape Consulting Workforce, Strategy With Rare Layoffs"
  

Working Papers

• The influence of regulation affecting non-GAAP reporting on executive compensation contracting


• The influence of top executives’ narcissism on working capital management policies with Ziad ElKhatib (Arkansas State University) & Dr. Sanne van Duin (University of Amsterdam)

Publications in Academic Journals

• Desai, H. & Davern, M. (2024). The details matter: SEC regulatory guidance and informativeness in non-GAAP disclosure decisions.
  Meditari Accountancy Research, 32(6), pp. 2038-2115. Publisher: Emerald. SSRN Journal

• Desai, H. & Pearlman, D. (2024). Waiting for the next new ride at Disney World? Understanding the determinants of capital expenditures among theme parks.
  European Business Review, 36(6), pp. 1042-1069. Publisher: Emerald. SSRN Journal

• Desai, H. (2023). Infusing Blockchain in accounting curricula and practice: expectations, challenges, and strategies.
  The International Journal of Digital Accounting Research, 23, pp. 97-135. Publisher: Rutgers University, Universidad de Huelva, & AECA. SSRN Journal

• Wood, D. A., Desai, H., (and 325 others), et. al. (2023). The ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence Chatbot: How Well Does it Answer Accounting Assessment Questions?
  Issues in Accounting Education, 38(4), pp. 1-28. Publisher: American Accounting Association. Journal
Featured ➡️ Going Concern: Academics Pitted Human Accounting Students Against GPT-3, Students Won
             ➡️ Business Standard: ChatGPT no match for humans when it comes to accounting, finds study
             ➡️ AccountancyAge: ChatGPT less than 50% accurate in accounting exams, study finds
             ➡️ CPA Practice Advisor: In a Battle Between ChatGPT and Accounting Students, the Students Won
             ➡️ FOX Business: Study finds ChatGPT struggles with math, unlikely to replace accountants
             ➡️ The Economic Times: Students found to fare better at accounting exams than ChatGPT
             ➡️ NDTV: Students Beat ChatGPT At This Exam, Score 76%, Compared To Chatbot's 47%
             ➡️ Mint: ChatGPT falls short in accounting exams. Study reveals students outperform OpenAI's chatbot
             ➡️ PR Newswire: Accounting's First Crowd-Sourced Study Tackles ChatGPT in Education
             ➡️ WION: Students outperform ChatGPT on accounting exam, score 76% to Chatbot's 47%
             ➡️ SciTechDaily: Humans Reign Supreme: ChatGPT Falls Short on Accounting Exams
             ➡️ Mirage News: ChatGPT Falls Short Compared to Humans in Accounting
             ➡️ Times of India: ChatGPT scores less than students in accounting exam; areas it did well in and ones it failed
             ➡️ Zee Business: ChatGPT fails when it comes to accounting, finds major study
             ➡️ CNBC TV18: Students found to fare better at accounting exams than ChatGPT

• Desai, H. (2022). Partner selection as a control mechanism in inter-organizational relationships: A meta-model approach.
  Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 19(2), pp. 351-375. Publisher: Emerald. SSRN Journal

• Desai, H. & Schaupp, D. (2022). Play for time when the ship is threatening to sink? Voluntary disclosure choices under going concern uncertainty.
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics, pp. 1-20. Publisher: Taylor & Francis. SSRN Journal
Featured ➡️ Columbia University's Law School Blog on Corporations and the Capital Markets (CLS Blue Sky): The Pros and Cons of Disclosing News in Distressed Organizations

• Desai, H. (2022). Are firms biasing stakeholder expectations by attributing prior poor performance to COVID-19?
  IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, 11(2), pp. 171-182. Publisher: SAGE. SSRN Journal
Featured ➡️ University of Oxford's Business Law Blog (OBLB): ‘Real Effects’ of COVID-19 Risk Factor Disclosures

Publications in Practitioner Journals

• Desai, H. (2023). An Auditor’s Perspective on Smart Contracts and DAOs.
  The CPA Journal, 93(7/8), pp. 60-63 Publisher: New York State Society of CPAs. SSRN Journal

• Desai, H. (2022). Crypto Record-keeping Technologies for Tax Professionals: Developments, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations.
  Bloomberg BNA Tax Management Memorandum, 63(12). Publisher: The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (Bloomberg Industry Group). SSRN Journal

• Desai, H. (2014). Independent Director Models in India and the United States: A Comparative Assessment.
  The Chartered Accountant Journal, 63(5), pp. 699-704. Publisher: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. SSRN Journal

Book Chapters

• Transformative Synergy: Revolutionizing Healthcare Accounting Information Systems with AI (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare Applications, Publisher: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

• Business Fraud Detection, Prevention and Investigations with Conversational AI (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: The ChatGPT Revolution: How Conversational AI is Transforming Customer Service and Business Operations, Publisher: Emerald

• From Barrels to Balance Sheets: The Role of Accounting in Saudi Aramco’s Sustainability Strategy to Net-Zero (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: A Greenprint for Net Zero: The Future of Sustainability: Implications for the MENA Region, Publisher: Springer

• Robotic Process Automation in Smart Manufacturing: Mathematical Modeling of the Impact on Cost and Management Accounting Practices (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: Smart Manufacturing Sustainability Principles, Technologies and Applications, Publisher: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

• Scaling at the Speed of Tech: How Digital Tools Drive Startup Expansion (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: A Research Agenda for Startups’ Scale-up, Scale-down and Re-scaling Strategies, Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

• Integrating Federated Deep Learning and Blockchain for Privacy-Preserving Precision Medicine in Medical Virology (Forthcoming)
  Book Title: Next-Generation Healthcare: Leveraging Deep Learning and Blockchain for Precision Clinical Decision-Making in Medical Virology, Publisher: Springer Nature

Published Interviews & Op-Eds

• Desai, H. (2024, Nov 12). "Expert Advice on Using a Prepaid Credit Card" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2024, Nov 12). "Expert Advice on Maximizing Cash Back With Your Credit Card" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2024, Oct 31). "Expert Opinion on Car Insurance Savings and Pricing" WalletHub
  
• Desai, H. (2024, Oct 10). "Expert Opinion on Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Bank" CreditDonkey
  
• Desai, H. (2024, Sep 06). "Expert Opinion on Credit Cards for Bad Credit" WalletHub
  
• Jain, M. & Desai, H. (2024, August 16). "Indian firms and the impact of Japan’s positive interest rates policy shift" The Economic Times (The Times Group)
  
• Desai, H. (2024, July 25). "Data Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions" Zippia, Inc.
  
• Desai, H. (2024, July 16). "Expert Advice for Finding the Right Card" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2024, July 10). "Expert Insight on Federal Income Tax" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2024, June 07). "Expert Opinion on Personal Loans for a 600 Credit Score" WalletHub
  
• Desai, H. (2024, February 26). "Expert Opinion on Best Business Bank Accounts" WalletHub
  
• Desai, H. (2024, January 24). "Expert Advice on Are Credit Card Rewards Taxable?" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2024, January 03). "Expert Insights on Mental Accounting" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, September 11). "Expert Opinion on 0% APR credit cards" WalletHub
  
• Desai, H. (2023, September 09). "Experts' Advice on Getting Paid by Paying Your Taxes" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, September 07). "Expert Advice on Tax Deductions" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, April 21). "Expert Insight on Donor-Advised Funds" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, April 21). "Expert Insight on Managing Taxes on Life Insurance Proceeds" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, Vol. III, No. 2/2022). "The Arkansas Chicken Index from Billions: Is It Real or Inspired by a True Story?" The Wolf Street Journal
  
• Desai, H. (2023, January 05). "Expert Insights: Moving and Taxes" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2023, January 04). "Expert Advice on Finding the Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Jain, M. & Desai, H. (2022, August 10). "Global economic shocks and India's economic future: Understanding this black swan paradox" The Economic Times (The Times Group)
  
• Desai, H. (2022, April 11). "Expert Insight on Online Software vs. Accountant" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2022, April 11). "Expert Insight about Credit Cards for Bad Credit & Rebuilding History" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2022, February 10). "Expert Insight on Cheap Renters Insurance" MoneyGeek.com
  
• Desai, H. (2022, January 21). "Expert Insight on Comparing Renters Insurance Quotes" MoneyGeek.com
  

Invited Educational Presentations

• "Strategic Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools & Technologies in Accounting" at the 44th ARCPA Annual Accounting & Auditing Conference
• "Blockchain: Understanding the Technology and its Impact on Business Models" at the 7th ICAI Annual Virtual International Conference - Digital Africa
• "Crypto Trading & Blockchain Applications" with Hu, B. at the Delta Center for Economic Development (DCED) Forum
• "Managing cybersecurity risks and challenges: The role of accountants" at the NEA Chapter Meeting of Arkansas State Society of Certified Public Accountants
• "Blockchain: Understanding the Technology and its Impact on Business Models" at the 42nd ARCPA Annual Industry, Commerce, & Banking Conference
• "Blockchain: Understanding the Technology and its Impact on the Accounting Profession" at the 42nd ARCPA Annual Accounting & Auditing Conference
• "Building a Blockchain-Infused Accounting Curriculum: Expectations, Challenges, and Strategies" at the 19th ARCPA Annual Accounting Educators Conference

Grants

• 2024 Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Research Grant for project on 'Adults with IDD: The HOWL and ATLAS Transition Pilot Programs' (External): $2.007 Million
       Jointly with Johnson, K., Gammon, S., Yanowitz, K., & Sandusky, B.
• 2023 Arkansas State University, College of Business Summer Research Grant (Internal): $10,000
• 2022 Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Mentor Awards (External): $1,500
• 2022 Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) Undergraduate Research Scholar (URS) Mentor Grant (External): $1,250
• 2022 Arkansas State University, FRAC: Faculty Research Fund Award for project on 'Accounting perspectives on issues in health policy and management' (Internal): $8,000
• 2022 Arkansas State University, College of Business Summer Research Grant (Internal): $10,000
• 2022 ACFE Research Institute (ARI) 'Report to the Nations' Research Data Grant jointly with Muzatko, S., Fortson, M., & Doering, J. (External)
• 2021 Arkansas State University, College of Business Summer Research Grant (Internal): $10,000

Technology Credentials

• Blockchain
• Certified Blockchain Expert, Issued by the Blockchain Council
• Alteryx
• Alteryx Designer Cloud, Trifacta Classic Core Credential Issued by Alteryx, Inc.
• Alteryx Designer Core Credential Issued by Alteryx, Inc.
• Alteryx Auto Insights Micro-Credential, Issued by Alteryx, Inc.
• Alteryx Machine Learning Fundamentals Micro-Credential, Issued by Alteryx, Inc.
• Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential, Issued by Alteryx, Inc.
• Python
• PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer, Issued by the OpenEDG Python Institute
• Data science
• IMA Data Analytics & Visualization Fundamentals Certificate, Issued by the Institute of Management Accountants

Sustainability Credentials

• GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, Issued by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Teaching Credentials

• AI in Education Explorer, Issued by Auburn University
• Credential (Certificate) in Effective College Instruction, Co-issued by the American Council on Education (ACE) & the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE)

Conference & Workshop Participation

• 2024
• WSJ 4th Annual Instructor Conference (Virtual)
• ARCPA 44th Annual Accounting & Auditing Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas
• 2023
• TJAR 14th International Conference of the Japanese Accounting Review (Virtual) in Kobe, Japan
• EAA Annual Congress in Helsinki-Espoo, Finland (represented by co-author)
• ARCPA Accounting Educators Conference (Virtual)
• ACFE ACFE Research Institute Summer Meeting in Seattle, Washington (represented by co-authors)
• 2022
• UiPath Automation Education Summit 2022 (Virtual)
• TJAR 13th International Conference of the Japanese Accounting Review (Virtual) in Kobe, Japan
• ARCPA Northeast Arkansas (NEA) Chapter Virtual Meeting
• ARCPA 42nd Annual Industry, Commerce, & Banking Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas
• ARCPA 42nd Annual Accounting & Auditing Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas
• AAA Virtual Annual Meeting
• AAA Ethics Research Symposium (ERS) & Annual Meeting in San Diego, California
• ACFE Research Institute Summer Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee
• ARCPA 19th Annual Accounting Educators Conference (Virtual)
• AAA Ernst & Young Foundation New Faculty Consortium in Leesburg, Virginia
• 2021
• TJAR 12th International Conference of the Japanese Accounting Review (Virtual) in Kobe, Japan
• ARCPA Arkansas Accounting Research Consortium (AARC) in Conway, Arkansas
• ARCPA 18th Annual Accounting Educators Conference (Virtual)
• AAA Management Accounting Section (MAS) Midyear Virtual Meeting
• 2020
• Miami Accounting Webinar Series
• 2019
• MIT Asia Conference & Doctoral Consortium in Hong Kong SAR, China
• AWE Accounting Workshop for Experiments & Doctoral Forum in Melbourne, Australia
• AAA Accounting Rookie Camp in Miami, Florida
• 2018
• EAA Annual Congress in Milan, Italy (represented by co-author)
• AWE Accounting Workshop for Experiments & Doctoral Forum in Melbourne, Australia
• 2017
• AWE Accounting Workshop for Experiments & Doctoral Forum in Melbourne, Australia
• AFAANZ Conference & Doctoral Symposium in Adelaide, Australia

Honors & Awards

• 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) Conference (Award includes cash prize from CPA Australia)
     Notable Contribution to the Literature Award by the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) of AAA for the co-authored (crowdsourced) 'Issues in Accounting Education' paper
• 2023 CMA Opportunity Scholarship, Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• 2022 International Accounting Section (IAS) Excellence in Reviewing Award, American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting
     Financial Accounting and Reporting Section (FARS) Excellence in Reviewing Award, American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting
     Outstanding Reviewer Award, American Accounting Association (AAA) MAS Midyear Meeting
• 2020 Graduate Research Excellence Certificate from Assistant Dean (FBE), University of Melbourne
• 2019 University of Melbourne Faculty of Business & Economics - Travel Abroad Scholarship
• 2018 International House, University of Melbourne - Graduate Scholarship
• 2017 International House, University of Melbourne - Graduate Scholarship
       Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
• 2015 University of Melbourne Faculty of Business & Economics Doctoral Program Scholarship
• 2012 University of Mumbai affiliated N. M. College of Commerce & Economics - Principal's Award
• 2010 Saraswati Award - Dy. Chief Minister Hon. R. R. Patil & Minister for Higher Education

Student Research Supervision

• Ziad ElKhatib
•  [Received Dean's Award for Graduate Oral Presentation at the 2022 CREATE@STATE: A Symposium of Research, Scholarly & Creative Works]
•  [Won the A-State Student Research & Creativity Grant Competition]
• Melanie Fortson (Honors Thesis Supervisor)
•  [Jointly won the 'Report to the Nations' Data Grant awarded by the ACFE Research Institute]
•  [Awarded the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)]
• Lindsey Storey
•  [Won the A-State Student Research & Creativity Grant Competition]
•  [Awarded the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) Undergraduate Research Scholarship (URS)]
•  [Awarded the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)]
• Alyssa Pettit
•  [Received Dean's Award for Undergraduate Oral Presentation at the 2023 CREATE@STATE: A Symposium of Research, Scholarly & Creative Works]
•  [Won the A-State Student Research & Creativity Grant Competition]
• Nahida Islam
•  [Received the Neil Griffin College of Business Graduate Poster Presentation Award at the 2024 CREATE@STATE: A Symposium of Research, Scholarly & Creative Works]

Acknowledgments

• As a Technical Expert in the ebook: 'Handbook on Digital Financial Assets for CAs' authored by CA. Aadit Devanand (Publisher: SIRC-Institute of Chartered Accountants of India)

Skills

Press Coverage

• 2024 Bloomberg News, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub
• 2023 The Sun (Jonesboro Sun), SciTechDaily, A-State News, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub
• 2022 Oxford Business Law Blog, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub
         Columbia Law School Blue Sky Blog, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub
• 2021 Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub, Inside A-State e-pub
• 2020 Inside A-State e-pub
• 2018 University of Melbourne FBE Newsroom

Personal Stuff

• Nationality: Australian 🇦🇺🦘🐨
• My Hobbies